INECNEWS.Com

INEC Urges FOSIECON To Improve Local Govt Elections

By Nathaniel Gana and Dominic James

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to strive to conduct local government elections in the manner that INEC conducts the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections.

Prof. Yakubu made the call on Tuesday, 31st July 2025, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), led by its Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri.

He described local government elections and local government areas as the foundation of credible elections and development, just as he expressed satisfaction over the emergence of elected local government councils in all states of the federation. But Prof Yakubu expressed reservations about the quality of the local government elections.

He said: “Your role is significant to credible elections in Nigeria. Local government elections, just like local government areas, are the foundation, not only of credible elections, but also of development, and we will continue to partner with you in this regard. I am glad to note that virtually all the States of the Federation now have elected local government councils.

“But you will agree with me that the challenge is the quality of the elections. I hope there will be an opportunity for us to discuss how INEC can partner with the SIECs to continue to improve the quality of these elections. We share responsibility with the SIECs on the conduct of local government elections. The best cooperation that can exist between INEC and the SIECs is for the SIECs to strive to conduct local government elections in the manner that INEC has done in the FCT.”

He continued: “As you know, the FCT is the only part of the country where there has never been a caretaker committee in the six area councils. Elections have been conducted regularly, initially for a period of three years, but with the amendment to the Electoral Act, the tenure has been streamlined to four years, just like the executive and legislative elections conducted by INEC. The elections are held regularly, and no one party has ever won all the elections in the FCT. And we have functional offices in all six area councils in the FCT. And there is, equally, the importance of planning in the conduct of elections.”

Explaining further, the INEC Chairman said while the next FCT area council election would take place next year, the Commission had earlier this year released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities over 360 days ahead of the election as provided by law.

His words: “It is on this note that I would like to seize this opportunity to draw your attention to the judgment of the Supreme Court, which the Chairman of FOSIECON alluded to on the conduct of local government elections. Conducting local government elections without serving the mandatory statutory notice long before the election contravenes the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“Recent announcement by a state electoral commission, which gives, in effect, 21 days’ notice, is not only a violation of the law and the subsisting judgment of the Supreme Court, it is also a practical problem. Within 21 days, how do you expect political parties to conduct primaries, nominate candidates, organise a campaign, and for the Electoral Commission to conduct voter education, recruit and train ad hoc staff, manage logistics, and organise security for the election? It is practically impossible to do so within 21 days. Therefore, as the umbrella body of all state electoral commissions, carry this message to your members about the importance of complying with statutory timelines in the conduct of local government elections.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of FOSIECON, Hon. Mamman Eri, said the delegation embarked on the visit to introduce the newly inaugurated national executive formally and to foster the enduring partnership between INEC and FOSIECON. He asked for the Commission’s support in the areas of technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge sharing.

He also talked about the recent Supreme Court judgement that annulled the Rivers State local government election. “It is clear that most of the states have their laws that have been enacted and passed by the House of Assemblies,” he stated. “The fact remains that most of us have this issue of 90-day notice for election. And from all indications, one of the things that the Supreme Court judgment hammered on is the issue of 360 days.

“How do we marry this with our state laws and the laws made by the National Assembly for the FCT? And from that judgment, we learned that the procedure that INEC uses is the same procedure that is expected to be used for local government elections.

Never was a war between Satan and God coming soon.....

BREAKING THE BARRIERS TO PROGRESS ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT MISSION FOR ALL https://share.google/xXCMRFmuiW7Qj83ua

When Peter Obi Celebrated Brilliance Over Noise!

Back in March 2014, Peter Obi, who was the Governor at the time, made a remarkable move by awarding ₦1 million each to 160 Anambra natives who graduated with first-class honours from universities all over Nigeria.

He didn’t squander security votes on flashy convoys or extravagant spending. Instead, he chose to honor academic excellence.

Just to give you some perspective, back then, ₦1M was about $6,060. Today, that same $6,060 is worth over ₦9.4 million!

Can you imagine a leader who invests in intellect rather than just noise? Someone who encourages students with the message: “Believe in yourself and push harder.”

Now, think about how different that is from today’s priorities.

BREAKING THE BARRIERS TO PROGRESS ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT MISSION FOR ALL https://share.google/bgL5a79fcokk3jbmo

Senator Natasha Trains And Empowers 250 People with Drones, Laptops, and https://jaconna.com/LDdw27zb1Y/

Burkina Faso is building a new modern international airport to https://share.google/x8ic15qfXoVXO7qCo

WHAT NIGERIANS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE DEATH OF BUHARI NOT NEW SAME WAS SAID https://jaconna.com/YqaQjjMbnj/

*TOPIC: WHAT DO YOU STAND TO GAIN?*(Series 8) *Scripture Reading:* 1 Samuel https://jaconna.com/9wdL00pdjP/

Jaconna} https://share.google/FrQl6USJAp2SeEz9U

NNPC Refineries May Never Work Again - Dangote The President of the Dangote https://jaconna.com/ELe3EO4b69/

21 things that women might find helpful to learn about men https://share.google/7LTDdLc5CNFFEn7Z6

join us on Jaconna for best articles and more
21 things that women might find helpful to learn about men:

EFCC Commences Investigation of Suspect Over Undeclared $29,000 At Lagos https://share.google/FREaOpggGEVxfqMpk

EFCC Commences Investigation of Suspect Over Undeclared $29,000 At Lagos https://share.google/A9g9ie8T4CtQ36cuT